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White Ribbon workshop at GDCI

Community Engagement Manager for White Ribbon Campaign, spoke to the male and female students of GDCI on topics such as changing the definition of masculinity and engaging in ways to end destructive behaviour and language, which can lead to violence against women and girls.

The world’s largest movement of men and boys to end violence against women and girls, White Ribbon Campaign, spoke to the students at GDCI.

Last week, in two days, Gary Atkinson of DART and Kevin Vowles of White Ribbon Campaign visited four schools in the area: South Huron, St. Anne’s, Central Huron Secondary School (Clinton) and GDCI.

“Even unpacking some of the theoretical pieces of it, like masculinity and femininity, they [students] were really engaged with that aspect as well,” said Coordinator for the Huron Domestic Assault Review Team (DART).

“On behalf of DART, we are extremely grateful for the schools getting on board and welcoming these presentations and having Kevin come in to speak.”

Partnered and fully funded by local Huron DART (Domestic Assault Review Team), the presentation fully engaged the students and the feedback from the students was powerful.

At each presentation, Community Engagement Manager for White Ribbon Campaign, and presenter, Vowles, spoke on healthy relationships, a new vision of masculinity and promoting gender equity.

White Ribbon began in 1991, when men and boys were asked to wear white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent regarding violence against women and girls.

The movement has now grown and spread to over 60 countries around the world.

According to the mission statement of White Ribbon, the movement believes men are part of the solution for a safer future for all people.

White Ribbon promotes this vision through education, raising awareness, outreach, creative campaigns, as well as providing strategies and models to challenge negative, out-dated concepts of manhood; potential for positive change.

The White Ribbon presentation educated and raised awareness of gender-based violence, and it explored the gender norms and expectations that can lead to violence against women and girls.

In the workshop last week at GDCI, Vowles used images and videos to promote this vision, but also spoke openly about mental health, living in a home with violence and attending a school where violence was prevalent.

Students asked questions during the presentation and some approached Vowles after the presentation to discuss the impact it had on them, or their personal experiences and struggles.

“I often get quite a personal response but that last assembly [at GDCI] it did seem quite flooded at the end. That doesn’t usually happen. That was exceptional,” explained Vowles.

“More in depth work involves a lot of discussion happening, that I hope will happen with the teachers and the students after I leave. Hopefully this [presentation] is just a starter conversation.”

White Ribbon Campaign is challenging the social constructs of the image of masculinity.

Currently, there is the #IWill campaign circulating social media for men speaking out on the topic of violence and abuse against women.

“We are looking at believing survivors, building emotional intelligence, building consent culture, intervening effectively as by-standers, being great role models to other men and boys by treating women respectfully,” Vowles explained.

“ We are also looking at consent, reaching out to those resources and supports that men and boys need to heal some of the wounding from trauma that may infiltrate their present relationships and make them unhealthy, if not violent and abusive.”

It is an opportunity to raise awareness through social media, and to start a dialogue and open discussion on standing by women, believing survivors, fostering respect and accountability.

Vowles added that it was important that the assembly in the high schools also included girls: “Even though we are directing it at engaging men and boys, we want women and girls to hear that message too, so that they have those consent expectations in particular, so they can encourage their partners to practice emotional intelligence.”

All of these points of conversation are positive things that men and boys can do to change the way we view relationships and providing an opportunity to end violence against women and girls.

According to Vowles, who praised Atkinson’s ability to organize four school presentations in two days, he speaks to approximately 10,000 students in a year.

In the four presentations made in Huron County, Vowles’ presentations had a rather high impact due to the fact that he spoke to and reached approximately 1,700 students.

The students had the option to take home literature on the topics discussed at the presentation and Vowles left a pledge poster.

There were also pamphlets providing information on resources and support systems, which were also optional if needed.

White Ribbon Campaign also offers educational products, professional development for teachers, consultations with companies, government, hospitals, and sports teams, on ways they can engage in order to end violence against women and girls.